NJPW ‘G1 Climax 29’ Night 12 Preview & Predictions

NJPW ‘G1 Climax 29’ Night 12 Preview & Predictions

Every day leading up to the G1 Climax I’ll be making predictions and today we’re onto the B Block’s sixth night of the tournament, set to take place on August 1st in Fukuoka. Like all block nights of the G1, there will be five tournament matches. Let’s get started!

Shingo Takagi (3-2) vs Jeff Cobb (2-3)
After starting the tournament with a strong 3-0, I have Shingo going on a heavyweight slide. He was able to open his tournament by defeating Juice, Yano and Taichi before dropping three in a row to Moxley, White and now Cobb. Shingo has been so strong since making his debut, he needs to hit a brick wall and face adversity so the fans have something to rally behind with their guy. I don’t have Cobb finishing with a lot of wins but being able to beat guys like Ishii and Shingo does enough for him so he doesn’t leave the tournament looking like he ate too many big losses.Prediction: Jeff Cobb

Jon Moxley (4-1) vs Toru Yano (2-3)
A lot of Yano fans have this one circled on their calendar. Some believe Moxley can take a goofy loss to Yano and come out fine. I’m not one of those people. I understand the point of Yano but you have this guy in Moxley who is signed with AEW and you have no clue if you’ll be able to use him once their TV starts. A guy like this shouldn’t lose to Yano. You want him to look like as much of a monster as possible so he needs to take very few pins. There’s no reason to have Moxley look like a dork at this point in time.Prediction: Jon Moxley

Tetsuya Naito (3-2) vs Juice Robinson (2-3)
I have Juice making a lot of big statement wins in the late stages of the tournament and he makes his first statement right here. These two have had great matches in the past, one for the IC title and another one last year’s G1, both won by Naito but I think this is where it all changes. Juice’s new haircut shows he’s ready for a new stage in his career. What would be bigger for Juice’s character than beating Naito? If you then have Naito win the G1 you can do the rematch for the briefcase which would take Juice to that next level in his career. Sign me up for big push Juice.Prediction: Juice Robinson

Jay White (3-2) vs Taichi (2-3)
The B Block is filled with attitude and this match epitomizes that statement. Two of the moodiest wrestlers on the roster and both will try to get under the other’s skin which will be fun to watch play out. This will be filled with Gedo and Miho shenanigans so I can see Taichi’s corner getting one over on White but more times than not this plays out in White’s favor. One guy you gave an IC title match upon making his return and the other is Taichi. There’s a clear peaking order that should be followed.Prediction: Jay White

Tomohiro Ishii (2-3) vs Hirooki Goto (2-3)
The fourteenth meeting dating back to 2006, a match Ishii won. Since then, Ishii has gone 2-10 when up against Goto. These two have had matches for both the IC and NEVER titles in the past but most recently their history has been tied up in the G1. For five straight years now, a G1 staple has been a clash between these two bulls. In that series, Goto also has the edge at 3-1, his lone loss coming at last year’s tournament. If you’ve never seen a clash between Goto and Ishii, you’re in for a treat. If you have seen their previous encounters, you’re in for a treat. Every match has ruled because both Goto and Ishii rule. Their chemistry is incredible and this being a main event means Goto is going to give his all. Buckle up!Prediction: Hirooki Goto